The collection concentrates primarily on South Asia and to a lesser extent on neighbouring countries such as Afghanistan, Burma, Thailand and Indonesia and is always being added to. It is displayed in a restored Victorian skating rink in the centre of Norwich. A first phase of display cabinets have been installed and a further three phases are planned over the next two years. Larger architectural items are permanently displayed throughout the building.

Because of the size of the collection displays are changed every three months or so. The entire collection has been digitized and this record (images and descriptions) can be viewed on a computer terminal in the gallery.The display of South Asian Decorative Arts and Crafts Collection is funded by the SADACC Trust, a charity having the following additional objectives:

1.Holding periodic lectures on South Asian arts, crafts and culture2.Awarding travel and educational scholarships for the postgraduate study of South Asian arts, crafts and culture.3.The expansion of the South Asian Decorative Arts and Crafts Collection.

Additions to the Collection

Each year we are adding to the collection. Some of the items collected during the last year are shown below.

We also like to add to the collection by combining travel scholarships with collecting. For example we are interested in collecting good modern examples of Bastar and Dhokra figures and objects from Eastern India and at the same time learning more about the Lost Wax techniques used and the significance of various figures and objects.

Many families in East Anglia have had connections, some over many generations, with South Asia, particularly India, Pakistan and Burma. This has resulted in many items such as textiles, paintings, figures, clothes, ethnographic items, photographs and furniture. having ended up in East Anglia. Many of the items are not necessarily of great value but do throw light on life in South Asia from the late 18th century to the early 20th century.

Donations or purchases of such objects are always of interest to us.

Travel and Educational Scholarships

A number of travel or educational scholarships and grants are funded each year for postgraduate study of the Decorative Arts, Crafts and Culture of South Asia. If possible, preference will be given to students from the Eastern region of the UK. If you are interested, please contact us on
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with information on your interests and experience.